Multifonds’ survey finds fund administrators believe AIFMD will be a catalyst for convergence

Beverly Chandler, Opalesque London: Multifonds’ latest survey of the fund administration industry shows that more than two thirds, some 69%, of industry respondents, with combined assets under administration of $16 trillion, believe AIFMD will accelerate the convergence of long only funds and hedge funds.

The firm says that although the Directive’s implementation deadline of 22 July 2013 is looming, many of those surveyed felt that they were not on target to be ready for AIFMD implementation. The research found that a fifth of respondents (20%) felt they were behind schedule and would not be ready within the next 12 months.

Multifonds’ survey, which received more than 50 responses from senior participants across the global fund administration industry, also asked which elements of AIFMD will have the most significant impact on respondents. Here, some 57% of fund administrators believed that depositary liability was the most challenging element, followed by operational requirements and risk and liquidity management, both standing at 45%.

With funds having to conform to all the Directive’s rules to market to European investors when AIFMD comes into effect, AIFMD represents a significant opportunity for Europe, Multifonds believes. 63% of those surveyed agreed that AIFMD will make Europe a more attractive jurisdiction for a......................